Monday 18 November 2013

Observational drawing with children

Exploring art is one way to tap into how your child sees the world and to encourage them to make observations of the world around them. 


I love the sweet little things that children say. Things that make you realise they don't always see the world the same way as you. The Fairy calls INSET days (UK teacher training days) 'Insect days' (I like to imagine she thinking her teachers are learning about invertebrates!) Or the Frog shouting 'ball' when ever he sees anything round in the vegetable aisle at the supermarket.

Drawing at the same time as the kids draw is really fun (it's a tip I have picked up from one of favourite bloggers Rachelle at Tinkerlab). I really enjoy the shared experience of creating together. The kids seem more engaged and want to take part for longer. It's also a great way to model that art doesn't have to 'be' a certain way or to be perfect to have value.

Earlier on this week the Fairy and I got out some chalk pastels and drew some squashes.

Before we started I encouraged her to hold and feel the squash- talk about the shape and colour. We talked about what other things were the same colour - oranges, sweets and her friend's hair.

observational drawing with children
We then got drawing each with our own sheet of paper. She drew 3 (very orange) squashes.

using pastels with children
using pastels with children

She loved smudging the pastel to mix colours.

childrens art lesson
Unfortunately The Frog wanted to join in with the arty action when he got up from his nap and drew over all of our finished art work. I need to remember to put things on a higher shelf!

Language Links: colours, shape and size concepts. Developing comparative language (same as, different, like).

3 comments:

  1. It looks like you had so much fun. Wonderful and vibrant drawing.

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  2. Love just free drawing for kids! I feel like sometimes there are so many art projects we can do, that I forget just letting them freely create is sometimes more important - especially when they will talk about it! From the Parenting Pin it Party!

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